Edinburgh Rugby is set to close out their United Rugby Championship season with a bang, as captain Magnus Bradbury returns to lead the side against Connacht this Friday night. The powerful back-rower slots back into the starting lineup, replacing Tom Currie in one of four changes made by head coach Sean Everitt following last week's bonus-point victory over the Dragons.

In the engine room, Marshall Sykes earns a start in the second row, stepping in for Grant Gilchrist who is sidelined with a finger injury. This reshuffle sees Glen Young shift into the lock position alongside Sykes, while Tom Dodd takes over at blindside flanker, bringing his trademark physicality to the pack. Further out, Piers O'Conor gets the nod at outside centre, replacing Mosese Tuipulotu in what promises to be a dynamic backline.

Everitt, clearly buoyed by his squad's recent form, praised the depth and determination that has fueled their three-match winning streak. "The competition for places in this squad has been fierce and I've loved seeing that fight for the jersey throughout this last block of games," he said. "Three wins on the bounce has taken real character and real commitment – and what's driven that, I think, is how much these players care. They care for each other, they care for this city and they care deeply about our supporters."

With a chance to make it four wins in a row in front of a home crowd, the stakes are high as Edinburgh looks to finish the season on a high note. "To have the opportunity to make it four wins in a row, in front of our own fans, in a fixture that means so much to the club off the pitch as well as on it – that's a brilliant way to close out our season," Everitt added. "We want to send our supporters away with something to smile about."

As the team dons their famous navy blue for one last time this season, fans can expect a fired-up squad ready to leave it all on the field. Whether you're cheering from the stands or sporting your Edinburgh gear at home, this is a match you won't want to miss.

Edinburgh team to face Connacht: Paterson; Graham, O'Conor, Thomson, Van der Merwe; Thompson, Patterson; Schoeman, Ashman, O Blyth-Lafferty, Sykes, Young, Dodd, Douglas, Bradbury.

Replacements: J Blyth-Lafferty, Venter, Hunter-Hill, McVie, Currie, Shiel, Brown.